Four patients at University Hospital have tested positive for Legionnaires’ Disease, UW Health announced Wednesday afternoon.
The hospital believes the building’s hot water system created conditions that exposed patients to the bacteria. A recent change to the hot water system may have led to the problem, according to the hospital.
The American Family Children’s Hospital is not affected.
Legionnaires’ Disease is a type of pneumonia. The illness develops in people who inhale the bacteria that causes it, according to the Mayo Clinic.
All four patients receiving treatment for Legionnaires’ underwent testing within the last 10 days, the hospital said.
“When the hospital became aware of the four patients with Legionnaires’, officials stopped all use of hospital showers. That is expected to continue until sometime early Thursday. This afternoon, the hospital will implement a “hyperchlorination” process to flush all hot-water lines in the building to eliminate any Legionella bacteria. The hospital has also notified affected patients and staff of the situation,” it said in a written statement.
For more go to WKOW: https://wkow.com/news/top-stories/2018/11/28/hospital-says-water-system-exposes-patients-to-legionnaires-disease/